Dear Editor,
This socialism scare nonsense used as an accusation against the Democrats is pathetically ridiculous. Socialism is defined as “a political and economic theory of social organization that advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole”, or, “any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods.” There is not a single elected Democrat Senator of Congressperson who subscribes to such definitions—as every one of them has made their fortunes through the workings of capitalism, and have no interest in dismantling it.
They do, however, care deeply about the community as a whole, and all citizens individually, in seeing to it that they are best served by political decisions that enable the greater good for the greatest number. Some examples of such political decisive legislation include:
VA hospitals and benefits
Aid to farmers
Aid for poor people
Funding for military
Funding for police
Funding for schools
Funding for roads and bridges
Funding for firefighters, most especially in our area, wildfire fighters
Funding for rebuilding after an earthquake, flood, hurricane, or tornado
Medical research
Medicare
Medicaid
Social Security
In short, anything that better serves the community and its individuals. Take away the elderly’s Medicare and Social Security if you want to be a total anti-socialist and see what outcry you cause—and appropriately so! Take away any of these social programs that make the society, the community, the country better and discover how much worse we are as a nation!
The biblical principle that defines how strong and good a nation is is based on how the poor, the powerless, the sick, and the less fortunate are treated by those who are better off. As a nation an essential way that is done is through such programs listed above. It is NOT socialist, it is caring compassion through political policies and programs, that actually has a biblical base.
It is time for the silly and acrimonious accusations of socialism toward Democrats to cease and desist! They are meaningless, worthless, and completely and totally irrelevant!
Rodney Noel Saunders
United Methodist Pastor, Retired